The only parallel I can think of is in the theatre.. or possibly music.. (I have some experience of both). Aspirants may not have to shell out the vast amout we pilot wannabes do, but they're exploited and expected to work for nothing for years, and to consider it a privilege to be working at all.
Isn't part of the problem in the masochistic semi-pride many of us take in our situation? As in "Hey, it's cost me my life, but that proves how dedicated I am?... Justwannafly...!" ?..
Doesn't that leave us open to exploitation? Perhaps if we could be just a bit more laid back..?
